Sound reproduction accompanied by pictures



July 5, 1949. F. WALLER ETAL 2,475,439

SOUND REPRODUCTION AGCOMPANIED BY PICTURES Filed March 31, 1947 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS km N M By 9M July 5, 1949. F. WALLER ETAL.2,475,439

SOUND REPRODUCTION ACCOMPANIED BY PICTURES Filed March 31, 1947 3Sheets-Sheet 2 mum 53M July 5, 1949. F. WALLER ETAL 2,475,439

SOUND REPRODUCTION ACCOMPANIED BY PICTURES Filed March 31, 1947 3Sheets-Sheet 3 v III-minim" tlllllllilllllll 5 O U 152 I65 40 INVENTORS(I) S D )wm Q\M\ )W W Q m y \QW Patented July 5, 1949 7 SOUNDREPRODUCTION ACCOMPANIED BY PICTURES Fred Waller, Huntington, N. Y., andWillis Robert Dresser, Long Hill. Conn., assignors to The VitaramaCorporation, Huntington Station, N. Y., a corporation oi New YorkApplication March 31, 1947, Serial No. 738,404

14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for coordinating sound reproductionswith displays that are exhibited in accordance with a predeterminedsequence.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved method forcoordinating sound reproduction and display exhibitions so as to obtainmore flexible control of both the sound and displays, while at the sametime maintaining them in the timed relation necessary to have theintended discourses of the sound reproduction accompany the exhibitionof particular displays or groups of displays. This flexibility permitsthe stopping of the sound record during certain periods while thedisplays are exhibited, and the holding of a selected display on exhibitfor longer or shorter times, as desired.

The method includes also the reversing or rewinding and repeating ofselected parts of the sound and display sequences, a featureparticularly useful with educational programs, when some of the studentsdo not fully understand an explanation or illustration the first timethat it is presented to them.

The displays referred to in connection with this invention areordinarily images on motion picture film, but may be lantern slidesconnected together in sequence by link mechanism, or may be actualphysical displays connected in any desired way for successive movementinto position for exhibition.

The sound that accompanies the exhibition of the displays is reproducedfrom a record that may be a disc, a magnetic wire, a strip havingmagnetic or light controlling signals, or any other known type of soundrecord.

The record is made with pauses, as for punctuation, and with controlsignals at such pauses so that the record can be stopped or started inaccordance with these control signals to prevent a cutting off orstarting at inappropriate places on the sound track. The sections of thesound track of the record between such pauses are referred to in thedescription of this invention as discourses. This term discourses isused in a broad sense, however, to cover music or other sounds, as wellas speech, though for the purposes for which the invention is primarilyintended, the discourses are ordinarily speech or at least partiallyspeech.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for exhibitingdisplays in a predetermined sequence with sound accompaniment, but withprovision for intermittent operation for the sound record, withoutlosing the coordination of the display sequence and the sound. Signalson the sound record are used to control the movement of successivedisplays into position for exhibition when the sound record is running,and the movement of the displays is used to control the restarting ofthe record at the proper time after the record has been stopped.

Another object is to provide apparatus for reproducing sound andexhibiting displays in sequence and in timed relation with the soundunder fully automatic control, but with provision for intervening manualcontrol by which an operator or instructor can increase the time betweensuccessive displays or shorten the time, as desired, or cause sectionsof the record and display sequence to be repeated at will. The apparatusincludes combinations for synchronizing the record and display sequenceat regions where synchronizing is necessary.

When using motion picture film, the flexibility of this invention makesit possible for the instructor to hold any selected image on the screenas long as he wants it, or to change images in rapid succession toobtain a moving picture, and to repeat both the still and movingpicture, if desired.

One feature of the invention relates to means for restoring thesynchronism or coordination of the record and display sequence if forany reason they do get out of the desired timed relation. A counterresponsive to display-change signals, and another counter responsive toactual display changes is one of the combinations used for restoringsynchronism. Another expedient is the location of corresponding numbersor other indicia on corresponding regions of the record and displays.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear orbe pointed out as the description proceeds.

In the drawing, forming a part hereof, in which like referencecharacters indicate corresponding parts in all the views,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing apparatus for reproducing soundand controlling the exhibition of displays in accordance with thisinvention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing theclutch mechanism used in the combination illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of one of the manual controlswitches shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a section of moving picturefilm that is used with the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view showing a portion of the record used for soundreproduction and for the control of the displays sequence.

The apparatus includes a sound record III which is shown as a strip onwhich magnetic signals are recorded. The record l0 passes over a drivingroller connected with a reversible electric motor I2 by motiontransmitting connections illustrated diagrammatically by the shaft l4.The record I0 winds on reels l6 and I1 supported on movablespring-tensioned frames l8 and Is in such away as to take up theslack inthe record strip. There are slack takje iip drives 20 for each of thereels l8 and |1;.and these slack take-up drives are operated by anyelectric motor 2| through belts 22 and 23, or other driving connections.

There is another driving roller 25 over which the record l0 passes at asubstantial distance from the first driving roller H, and the recordingor reproducing apparatus for the sound and control signals is locatedalong the portion of the record Ill between the spaced rollers II and25. The roller 25 is driven from the roller by a shaft 26. The soundrecording or reproduction is obtained from an electro-magnetic device 28which is responsive to electric impulses for recording on the record andto magnetic variations in the sound track on the record ID forreproducing the recorded sound. This device 28 is connected with anamplifying unit 29 which operates an audio-responsive apparatus 3|. Forrecording, the apparatus 3| is a transmitter, and for reproducing soundthe apparatus 3| is a speaker, or group of speakers. The apparatus willbe described as used for sound reproduction.

One side of the circuit connecting the amplifier unit 29 with thespeaker 3| passes through a switch 33 that is used for opening thespeaker circuit 3| when the sound track is moving backwards. Thisprevents the speaker 3| from operating when the record i0 is not movingin the direction that produces intelligible sound.

It is a feature of the invention that the record in can be operated in areverse direction in order to repeat portions of the discourse or torepeat control signals for changing the exhibition of any of thedisplays. Reverse operation of the sound record is accomplished byreversing the motor l2. The motor I2 is reversed by a double throwswitch 36 operated by a manual control 31. The switches 33 and 36 aremechanically connected as indicated by the dotted line in Figure 1, sothat the switch 33 is closed only when the reversing switch 35 is inposition to cause the sound track to be operated in a forward direction.

The display exhibiting apparatus shown in Figure 1 is a projector 38with an intermittent movement device 39 for moving a motion picture film40 one frame at a time in a manner well understood in the art. Thisdevice 39 is operated by a one-tum clutch 4| through a drive shaft 42.The driven element of the clutch 4| is connected with the drive shaft42, and the driving element of the clutch is rotated by an electricmotor 43. This motor 43 is reversible, and the motor isreversed by thesame switch 35 that reverses the motor H which drives the sound record.The clutch 4| is engaged by actuation of a solenoid 45.

A detailed description of the clutch 4| and its operation will be givenin connection with the explanation of Figure 2. For an understanding ofthe operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, it is sufficient tounderstand that each time the solenoid 45 is energizedby a pulse ofcurrent, the clutch 4| engagesand causes the intermittent movementdeyice" 39 to move the film 40 far enough to bring the next frame of thefilm into position for projection. If the solenoid is energized by asteady flow of current, the clutch 4| remains engaged and theintermittent movement device operates the projector in the conventionalmanner for showing motion pictures.

The projector 38 has reels 48 and 49 on-which the am go winds and thereare slack take-up mechanisms 50 connected with each of the reels 48 and49. These slack take-up mechanisms 50 are driven by a motor 52 throughbelts 53 and 54. The film 40 passes around sprockets 55 and 56 and thereare switches 58, 59 and 60, each of which is operated by a feeler 62located near one or the other of the sprockets 55 and 56 in position todrop into notches in the side of the film 40. These notches are controlsignals on the film for controlling the operation of the apparatus inresponse to movement of the film. When the sound record is used withouta film, the switch 59 that controls the restarting of the film isoperated manually.

The clutch 4| may be controlled manually, for a single change from onepicture to the next picture on the film, or to change pictures in rapidsuccession for motion pictures, by means of a switch 65 in the circuitof the solenoid 45. In the illustrated apparatus, a battery 66 isprovided for energizing the solenoid 45, and the switch 65 is connectedinto the circuit with the battery 66 and the solenoid 45 by adouble-pole, doublethrow switch 68.

The switch 68 is shown closed in its downward position which makes themanually-operated switch 65 effective to control the operation of theprojector 38. The construction of the manually operated switch 65 willbe described in connection with Figure 3, and for an understanding ofthe operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 it is suificient tounderstand that the manually operated switch 65 has two buttons, one ofwhich is pushed to provide a momentary surge of current to the solenoid45 and the other of which supplies a steady flow of current to thesolenoid as long as the button is depressed.

Mechanically actuated switching mechanism is provided for supplying thesolenoid 45 with periodic power impulses in accordance with a variabletiming. This apparatus includes a switch 10 that is normally open andperiodically closed by a cam TI. The cam H is driven from a motor 13through pulleys connected by a belt 14. This driving connection betweenthe motor I3 and cam 1| is merely representative of motion transmittingconnections through which rotation of the motor 13 can be imparted tothe cam H with suitable reduction in speed. The speed of rotation of themotor 13 is adjustable by a variable resistance '|5 which isrepresentative of motor speed control apparatus. The switch '10 isconnected into the circuit of the solenoid 45 and battery 66 by shiftingthe double-pole, doublethrow switch 68 into its upward position. Theshift of the switch 68 from its downward to its upward positionsubstitutes the mechanically actuated switch 10 for the manuallyactuated switch 55.

An electro-magnetic device 18, located along the run of the record inbetween the rollers H and 25, is used for recording or reproducingcontrol signals on the record for causing the solenoid 46 to beenergized to change the displays. These signals will be referred to as"A signals. when using the record for reproduction, the electromagneticdevice 18 acts as a pick-up device for converting the magnetic signalson the record I into electrical impulses that are amplified in anamplifier unit 19 in which the signals cause a momentary contact switchto close and complete a circuit through the solenoid 45, a preselectorswitch 80, and through one set of contacts or a main control relay II.

The pre-selector switch 80 has a handle at one end by which it can bemoved selectively to close the circuit through either its upper or lowerfixed contact. This switch 80 must be closed against its lower contactin order to have the A signals from record I0 control the energizing ofthe solenoid 45.

The main control relay 8! has five fixed and tour movable contactsenclosed in Figure 1 within the brace designated by the referencecharactor 35. When the coil of the relay 85 is not energized, themovable contacts occupy the relative positions shown in Figure l, butwhen the coil of this relay 85 is energized, the relay pulls down all ofits movable contacts so that the first three of the movable contactstouch the fixed contacts beneath them, and the fourth or lowermostmovable contact of the relay is moved into an open circuit position.

The main control relay 85 is actuated by control signals on the recordto that will be referred to as B signals. These B signals are recordedor reproduced by an electro-magnetic device 8! located along the run ofthe record to between the rollers ti and 25. When the apparatus is beingused for reproduction, the electro-magnetic device til converts themagnetic B signals on the record i it into electric impulses that areamplified in an amplifier unit 88. These B signals close a momentarycontact switch in the unit 88 to complete the circuit of the operatingcoil of the control relay 35. Only one control impulse irom theamplifier 855 is required to pull down the movable contacts oi the relayt5 and keep them down, because this relay lid has a holding circuitwhich includes the third movable contact or the relay and the switchthat is operated by the ieeler ii!- in contact with the edge of the filmll]. The switch 59 is always closed except when a notch signal in thefilm permits the ieeler 52 to move and open switch The third movablecontact of the is in closed position whenever the coil oi this relayenergized. From this description it will be apparent that the relay 235will remain in its down position with its coil con tinuously energizeduntil a signal on the film 8d causes the switch 59 to open and break theholding circuit of the relay.

The operator can control the picture or display changes manually, evenwhen the sound record is in operation, by moving the pro-selector switch80 into its upward position. This opens the circuit of the lower fixedcontact of switch 8t and takes the control of the display change awayfrom the amplifier unit 19 regardless of contact of the relay '5 must bein its raised position in order to keep the circuit to the amplifierunit I9 closed when the switch is against its lower fixed contact.

When the apparatus is operating automatically, with the relay 8! in itsnormal position, that is, with all of the movable contacts of the relayin their upward positions as shown in Figure 1, and the switch 80 in itsdownward position, electric impulses from the pickup device 18 causerepeated momentary closings of the switch in the amplifier unit 19 andeach separate A signal thereby causes one operation of the solenoid 45and clutch 4| to change from one picture to the next. For obtainingcontinuous operation of the projector 38 as a motion picture projectorunder control of the sound record l0, a long A signal is used tomaintain the solenoid 45 energized for the period that the motionpicture operation is to continue. The motors l2 and 43 are preferablyconstant speed motors and coordinated that the film cannot run ahead ofthe discourse on the record.

When the pickup device 81 responds to one of the B control signals onthe record l0, and the electric impulse to the amplifier 88 causes therelay to be energized andto pull down all of its movable contacts, thecontrol of the picture change is shifted from the A signals to eitherthe manual control switch 65 or the mechanically actuated switch l0depending upon the position of the switch 68.

Means are provided for checking the synchronism of the film fill and therecord I0. When the solenoid is operated only by pulses of currentsynchronization can be checked by having a counter iii geared to theshaft 42 in such a way as to count the number of times that the shaftmoves to change from one picture to the next, and another counter 92connected in parallel with the solenoid 65 and operated by electricalimpulses to count the number of picture change impulses received by thesolenoid 35. it will be evident that the mechanism works properly, andthe clutch all operates to change the picture every time an A signal, orone of the switches 85 or it, supplies a pulse of current to energizethe solenoid 65, the numbers indicated by the counters 9i and 92 willalways be the same.

The counter ill is mechanically reversible, and the electricallyactuated counter 52 is connected with a reversing switch 94. Thisreversing switch 98 is connected to the other reversing switches 33 and36 so that the counter 92 will operate in a reverse direction when themotor 43 is reversed to turn the clutch ll backwards. If at any time thenumbers recorded on the counters 9i and '92 are not the same, the shaft42 is turned by a handwheel 93 secured to the shaft. This handwheel isturned in either a forward or reverse direction as may be necessary tobring the counter 9! up to or down to the number recorded on the signalcounter 92. The handwheel 93 is, therefore, a master control for puttingthe film 80 and sound record in back into synchronism if they get out ofcorrect timed relation with one another.

The master control for the motors I2 and 43 which drive the record I0and clutch 4|, respectively, comprises a push button switch 94 connectedin parallel with the film actuated switch 60 and a relay 96. This relay86 has contacts 91 that are open when the coil of the relay 96 is notenergized. but which remain closed as long as the relay is energizedthrough either the switch 84 or the switch 50. The contacts 81 are inseries with the switch 35 that supplies power to the motors I2 and 43,and the circuits of both motors is open, therefore, unless the relay 95is energized.

The conductors marked X" at the lower right hand portion of Figure 1connect with the conductors X leading to the motors 2I, 52 and I3, andthe conductors marked Y connect all of the amplifier units 29, I9, and58 with the power line. circuits of the apparatus can be connected with,or disconnected from, the power line by a single power line switch 99.

Figure 2 shows the construction of the clutch 4 I. This clutch has adriving element I secured to one end of a shaft IOI that turns in abearing I02 in a pedestal support I03. A pulley I05 on the other end ofthe shaft IOI is connected with a pulley I05 of the motor 43 by a V beltM1.

The clutch has a driven element I I0 connected to a sleeve III thatturns in a bearing H2 in a stationary support H3. The clutch element H0is slidable axially in the bearing H2 and is urged against an end faceof the bearing H2 which serves as a thrust bearing surface for thedriven element I I0. A spring I I5 compressed between the clutchelements I00 and H0 urges the clutch element IIO against the thrustbearing surface on the end face of the bearing H2.

The shaft 42 extends into the sleeve III and has a key II'Iextendinginto a keyway in the sleeve III for making the shaft 42 rotateas a unit with the driven clutch element H0. This clutch element H0 hasstuds H9 extending into holes in the support H3. As long as the studs II9 are projecting into the holes in the stationary support, the clutchelement H0 is held against rotation. The holes that receive the studs H9are located at'"different distances from the axis of rotation of theclutch element I I0 so that when the clutch element I I0 is moved towardthe right far enough to withdraw the studs I I9 from the holes in thesupport H3 and to engage the driving clutch element I00, the drivenclutch element I I0 will make one complete revolution before the pins H9come back into position to engage the holes from which they weredisplaced. The pins H9 are in effect locking elements to keep the clutchengaged until it has turned far enough to bring the next film frame intoposition for projection. In the apparatus illustrated,'the shaft 42 isgeared to the sprocket that moves the film with a gear reduction thatcauses one revolution of the shaft to turn the sprocket just enough tobring the next film frame into position for projection.

The structure for moving the clutch element I I0 into engagement withthe driving clutch element I00 includes throw-out pins I2I extendingfrom a disc I22 which is slidable axially along the shaft 42. Athrow-out collar I24 on the shaft 42 has an annular groove engaged by ayoke at the lower end of a lever I25. This lever I25 is supported by afulcrum stud I21 and is connected with the armature I28 of the solenoid45 by a link I29.

Whenever the solenoid 45 is energized, it moves its armature I28 inwardand transmits motion through the link I29 and lever I25 to the throwoutcollar I24. This movement of the throwout collar pushes the disc I22toward the support H3 and causes the pins I2I to push the studs H9 outof the holes in the support H3 so that the clutch element H0 is movedinto With these connections all of the engagement with the drivingclutch element I00.

If the solenoid 45 is energized continuously. the clutch elements I00and H0 remain engaged and the shaft 42 is rotated continuously in itsbearing I3I and keeps the intermittent motion device 39 in operation.For moving the film by only one frame, however, it is essential to havethe power supplied to the solenoid 45 in pulses so that the solenoid 45is de-energized before the clutch has made a complete revolution. Thiscauses the clutch to be disengaged by the spring H5 after eachrevolution when the studs H8 come back into position to register withthe holes from which-they are displaced by the throw-out pins I2I.

When the current to the solenoid 45 is supplied from the amplifier thatis responsive to the A control signals on the record, the current can bein pulses or for substantial periods to obtain the desired efiect.Special apparatus has to be provided for obtaining either pulses ofshort duration or a continuous current supply when the solenoid 45 isunder manual control through the switch 55.

Figure 3 shows the construction of the switch 55 in detail. This switchhas two resilient contact arms I35 and I35 which are connected byconductors I31 and I38 with the double-pole, double-throw switch (58)used to connect and disconnect the switch 55 and the picture changecontrol circuit that includes the solenoid 45.

The switch 55 has two push buttons, including a push button I40 at oneend of a stem I that slides in bearings in a fixed support I42. Acompression spring I44, connected at its upper end to the stem I4I,bears against the lower portion of the support I42 and urges the stemI4I upward into the position shown in Figure 3. A pin I45 extendingthrough the stem I4I below the fixed support I42 limits the upwardmovement of the stem. A pawl I50 is pivotally connected to the stem IIIby a stud I5I, and this pawl I50 is urged into contact with a ratchetI52 by a spring I53.

The ratchet I52 is supported by an axle I 55.

A cam I55 on the same axle with the ratchet I52 is connected with theratchet by means of a spring I58. In the construction shown, thisspring- I55 is attached to the back of the ratchet I52 by a connectionI50, and the lower end of the spring I58 is secured to the cam I 55 byan anchor I5I. The cam I55 has four lobes corresponding with the fourteeth of the ratchet I52. The cam I55 can be made with a differentnumber of lobes, but if the number is changed, the construction of theratchet must be modified accordingly.

A cam follower I53 is attached to the movable contact I35 and is heldagainstthe cam I55 by the resilient spring pressure of the movablecontact. When the button I40 is depressed and causes the pawl I50 toturn the ratchet I52, the spring I58 winds part way around the axle I55and increases in tension until it has sufllcient force to turn the camI55 against the spring pressure of the movable contact I35. Thismovement of the cam displaces the cam follower I53 and causes themovable contact I35 to move over far enough to touch the contact I35,thus closing the circuit through the switch 55.

Since the cam I55 is moved by tension in the spring I58, rather than bydirect displacement of the button I40, the cam moves quickly for thefull angular displacement of one lobe of the cam and thereby causes amomentary contact of the switch contacts I35 and I35 followed by areturn ,dififerent characteristics, particularly 9 of the follower I63to a normal position between the next two lobes of the cam. This switch66 is merely representative of manually actuated switches that maintainonly momentary contact I against the other contact arm 836 to close theswitch 65 and keep it closed as long as the button I64 is helddepressed.

Figure 2 shows a portion of the film id on an enlarged scale. This filmhas control signals comprising notches I66 along the right hand edge ofthe film for actuating the switches 58 and 59 of Figure l. The film 43has one or more other control signals such as a notch 46? in the lefthand edge'of the film for actuating the switch 60 of Figure 1. Thisswitch 60, and the control notch l6? which actuates it, is for thepurpose of stopping the apparatus at the end of the film or at the endof a rewind, but similar notches can be provided at other places alongthe film if it is desirable to have all of the apparatus stopautomatically and completely at some selected place during theshowing ofthe film.

The film shown in Figure 4 has indicia, such as consecutive numerals, inthe lower left hand corner of each frame, and these indicia aredisplayed on the screen for the purpose of checking the synchronism ofthe film and sound record. Corresponding indicia along the sound trackare used to show whether the sound track is in proper timed relationwith the film.

Figure 5 shows the sound track it with the picture change control signalindicated by the legend signal A and the control signals for operatingthe main control relay and stopping the sound record indicated by thelegend signal B. The numeral 3 located under signal A indicates thatthis picture change control signal should bring frame No. 3 of the filminto position for projec tion. The use of these corresponding numeralson the film and sound record for indicating whether the film and soundrecord are in proper timed relation can be used instead of the counters9i and 92 shown in Figure l, or can be used in the same apparatus withthe counters, if desired.

The record It shown in Figure 5 has the con-= troi signals A and Blocated along separate tracks parallel with the sound track. It will beunderstood, however, that the control signals A and B can be locatedalong the same track and can have frequencies, so that each one willaffect only the control circuit for which it is intended. It will beunderstood further that the control signals can be superimposed on thesound track it a very narrow record is to be used; and when the controlsignals are superimposed on the sound track it is merely necessary tomake them with characteristics that do not affect the sound reproducingcircuit. When the signals are located along the same track, one pick-updevice is sufficient for the different signals, with filters forseparating the signals for the different circuits that the signals areto control.

In the operation of the apparatus shown in Figure l, the motors l2 and43 are started originally by pressing the button of switch 94 whichenergizes the relay Q6 and closes the motor cirdifierent cuits. Thisstarts the sound record It). The switch 94 is held in closed positionmanually until the first movement of the film 40 shifts the notch in thefilm beyond the feeler 62. film then closes the switch 60 and it is nolonger necessary to hold the switch 96 closed.

The picture sequence is started by the first control signal on therecord It to which the pickup device 18 is responsive. With eachadditional impulse that affects the pickup device it, the apparatusoperates to change to the next picture. The controls that are responsiveto the signals on the record may be considered as the primary controlsof the apparatus; and the film operated switches 5d and 69 may beconsidered the secondary controls."

At the conclusion of each sentence of the sound record, or at otherlogical pauses in the discourse on the sound track, there is a B signal.to which the pickup device Bl is responsive, and such signals energizethe relay 85 and cause it to pull .down its movable contacts and stopthe motor I! that drives the sound record. This operation of the relay85 shifts the control of the picture change from the sound record ID tothe manually operated switch 65 so that further changes in the picturescan be affected manually and at any desired rate until a point isreached where the discourse should again be synchronized with thepictures. At such a point there is a control signal on the film 40 thatcauses the switch 59 to open and break the holding circuit of the relay85 so that further control of the picture change is shifted hack to thesound record it. This release of the relay 855 causes the circuit of themotor it to be closed so that the sound track is again started.

If the signal on the film for operating the switch 59 is at a regionwhere it opens this switch 59 at the same time that a B signal comesunder the pick-up device til, the relay 85 will merely operatemomentarily and drop back without stopping the motor (12 that moves thesound record.

During the time that the sound track is stopped and while the picturechange is under manual control oi the operator, the double pole, doublethrow switch 68, can be moved into its upward position to put thepicture change under the control of the mechanically operated switch it.When the picture change is being controlled by this switch it, or by theswitch 65, the picture sequence can travel only as far as the nextsynchronizing control signal of the film because such a signal opens theswitch 59 and returns the control of the picture change to the soundrecord it.

By operating the preselector switch it is possible for th operator tochange pictures at any desired rate even during a period of soundreproduction from the record I. The operator may extend the period ofpicture projection to occupy more time than that required for thediscourse on the record, and the sound record will stop in accordancewith the control signal for the pickup device 62 even though all of thepictures that accompany the discourse ahead of that signal havenot yetbeen shown. The sound record will automatically start again, however,when the next control signal on the film actuates the switch 59, thusre-establishing the proper timed relation of the film and sound record.During parts of the record where it is important to have a particularpicture displayed during a portion of the discourse, control signals foroper- The atlng the switch 52 are provided at relatively close intervalsso as to bring the film and sound record back into synchronism at anyplace where such synchronism is required.

It is not necessary for the operator to decide at the beginning for eachdiscourse how the next picture sequence is to be projected. It ispossible for him to return the preselector switch 80 to its normaldownward position during the projection of the first picture of asynchronized sequence and have the remainder of the sequence projectedunder automatic control from the sound record.

In the event that the operator has the switch 80 in position to permithim to manually control the picture changes during a discourse from thesound record, and the operator changes pictures at a rate faster thanthe rate at which they would be changed automatically by the signals onthe sound record, the last picture of a sequence may be projected beforethe conclusion of the discourse, and the operator may unintentionallyattempt to change to the first picture that should accompany the nextdiscourse on the sound record. This is prevented by the switch 58 whichis opened by the control signal on the film and prevents the operatorfrom making any further picture changes until the discourse on the soundrecord is completed and a control signal on the record has actuated therelay 85. When this relay 85 is energized it closes a circuit thatrestores the control or the picture change to the operator even thoughthe switch is is open.

For rewinding any portion of the record l and film 40, as for example,where it is desirable that a portion of the discourse should berepeated, the control button 31 is actuated to move switches 33, 36 and94 into position for reverse operation. This causes the motors l2 and42, and the counter 92 to run backwards. and opens the sound circuitso'that the speaker 3| does not operate during reverse movement of thesound record. When rewinding the film and sound record back to theirstarting position, a control signal is provided on the film 40 inposition to open the switch 80 and cooperate with a stop signal on thesound record to stop the film and sound record in position to be againoperated in a forward direction with proper synchronization assured.

If the number of picture change control signals on the record is equalto the number of pietures in each sequence on the film, the timedrelation of the film and sound record is maintained during rewinding.When there are more picture changes on the film than there are picturechange control signals on the record, it is necessary during therewinding operation to use the cam operated switch for returning all orthe pictures to the beginning of a sequence before the next sequence canbe rewound. This is taken care of automatically during the rewinding itthe switch 68 is in position to connect the cam operated switch 10 withthe circuit 01' the solenoid 45.

Some features of the invention can be obtained even though the soundrecord is not separate from the film. For example, with the sound recordon the film, a control signal can stop the film and throw the control tothe manually operated switch 65 or the mechanically operated switch 10,until a control notch on the film operates the switch is to again startthe film running.

The preferred method and apparatus of this invention have beendescribed, but changes and modifications can be made and features 0! theinvention can be used in various combinations without departing from theinvention as defined in the claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. The combination of a display device, mechanismfor moving successivedisplays into position for exhibition, apparatus for reproducingrecorded sound from a record, apparatus responsive to signals on thesound record for controlling the operation of the mechanism that movesthe displays, other control apparatus responsive to signals on the soundrecord and eflective to stop the sound record, other control apparatusresponsive to movement oi the displays for restarting the operation ofthe sound record, and automatic control apparatus responsive to signalson the sound record for shifting the control oi! the sound record to thecontrol apparatus that is responsive to the movement of the displays.

2. The combination oil a display device with mechanism for moving thesuccessive displays into position for exhibition in a sequence,apparatus for reproducing sound from a record, motor means for movingthe record at the proper speed for the sound reproduction, controllermeans movable into different positions for starting and stopping saidmotor means, apparatus responsive to movement of the displays for movingthe controller means into position to start the sound record, and otherapparatus responsive to signals on the sound record for moving the con-'troller means into position to stop the sound record, and a control thatis also responsive to signals of the sound record to shift the controlof the sound record from the apparatus that is responsive to the soundrecord signal to the display-responsive apparatus.

3. Apparatus for exhibiting displays in sequence, mechanism for movingsuccessive displays into position for exhibition, motor means for movinga record at a definite speed, apparatus movable into diflferentpositions for starting and stopping the motor means controls for saidmechanism responsive to signals on the record, and other controls thatare responsive to signals on the record to shift the apparatus intoposition to stop the motor means at pre-selected places with respect tothe display sequence.

4. The combination oi. display exhibiting apparatus including mechanismfor changing displays in sequence, a record on which sound is recorded,mechanism for moving the record at a definite speed, sound reproducingapparatus responsive to sound signals on the record, secondary controlapparatus responsive to changes in the displays for controlling themechanism that moves the record, and primary control apparatusresponsive to control signals on the record including controls forstopping the record at predetermined places in the display sequence,controls for operating the display change mechanism, and controls forshifting the control of the record moving mechanism to the secondarycontrol apparatus.

5. The combination with a motion picture proiector having mechanism formoving a film intermittently to bring successive film frames intoposition for projection, a control device actuated by the film, a soundrecord separate from the film, mechanism for moving the sound record ata predetermined speed, sound reproducing apparatus responsive to soundsignals on the record,

signal responsive controls for the mechanism that moves the record,other signal responsive controls for causing the projector to move thefilm to bring the next frame into position for projection, other-signalresponsive controls for shifting the control of the record movingmechanism to the control device that is actuated by the film, all ofsaid signal responsive controls being responsive to control signals onthe record, a manually actuated device for causing the projector to movethe film for a distance of one frame, and means for shifting the controlof the projector from the signal responsive controls to the manuallyactuated device.

6. Apparatus for projecting images from motion picture film, soundreproducing apparatus responsive to sound signals on a record separatefrom the motion picture film, mechanism for operating the record at apredetermined speed, a control device for stopping the record, controlsfor operating the projector to change from one film frame to the next,said controls including apparatus responsive to control signals on therecord and manually actuated control mechanism, said manually actuatedcontrol mechanism being effective to change from one film frame to thenext regardless of whether the sound record is in motion or is stoppedand control means responsive to the motion of the film for restartingthe record.

7. Apparatus for exhibiting displays in sequence with soundaccompaniment, said apparatus including a display exhibiting device withmechanism for moving successive displays into posi-- tion forexhibition, sound reproducing apparatus responsive to sound signals on arecord separate from the displays, mechanism for moving the record at adefinite speed but at different periods separated by interruptionsduring which the sound record remains stationary, and synchronismcontrol apparatus responsive to movement of the displays for preventingexhibition beyond a predetermined display of the sequence until thesoundrecord is started for supplying the sound accompaniment for thenext successive displays of the sequence.

8. Apparatus for exhibiting displays in se quence, sound reproducingapparatus responsive to sound signals on a record separate from thedisplays, control means for reversing the sound record and for obtainingrepeated reproduction of selected portions of the sound record,automatic control means for making the sound reproducing apparatusinoperative during periods when the record is moving in a reversedirection and automatic controls for maintaining the sound record intimed relation with, the display sequence regardless of reversals oi thesound record.

9. Apparatus for exhibiting displays in sequence, mechanism for bringingsuccessive displays into position for exhibition, sound reproducingapparatus responsive to sound signals on a record, control meansresponsive to signals on the record for effecting operation of saidmechanism, apparatus for reversing the sound record and the mechanismthat brings successive displays into position for exhibition, thecontrol means for said mechanism being effective during either forwardor reverse movement of the rec 0rd.

10. Apparatus for exhibiting displays with sound accompaniment, saidapparatus comprising a motion picture projector, mechanism in theprojector for intermittently moving a film to bring sucessive frames ofthe film into position for projection, a sound record separate from thefilm, mechanism for moving the record at a definite speed, soundreproducing apparatus responsive to sound signals on the record, controlmeans responsive to control signals on the record for causing saidmechanism to bring the next film frame into position for projection, amanual control for reversing the direction of operation of both therecord moving mechanism and the mechanism that moves the film, saidcontrols being effective to maintain the timed relation of the film andrecord during reverse as well as forward operation, and said manualcontrol being efiective to restore the mechanisms to forward movement torepeat a portion of the sound record or display sequence alter therecord and display sequence have been turned back for a predetermineddistance.

ill. Apparatus for exhibiting displays in sequence, apparatus forreproducing sound from sound signals recorded on a record that is sepa=rate from the displays, mechanism for moving the record at a definitespeed, automatic controls responsive to control signals on the recordfor effecting changes to the next successive displays and for stoppingthe mechanism that moves the record, but with said record in definitetimed relation with the display sequence, operator actuated controls foreffecting display changes, means for selectively placing the displaychanges under automatic and operator actuated controls at differentportions of the display sequence, and other controls for reversing thedisplay change sequence and the mechanism that moves the sound recordfor selected periods and for again restoring forward movement of thedisplays and record for repeating operations of the display sequence andsound record.

12. The combination of a moving picture projector with a sprocket formoving successive film frames into position for projection, a clutchthat has a driven element connected with the film sprocket and that hasa driving element connected with a constant speed and reversible motor,a spring urging the clutch elements away from one another, a solenoidirom bringing the clutch elements together, locking elements that keepthe clutch engaged for an angle of movement just sumcient to move thenext film frame into position for projection, a circuit for supply ingpulses of electric power to the solenoid, ap= paratus for reproducingsound from a record that is separate from the film, mechanism includinga reversible electric motor for moving the record at a definite speed,automatic controls connected with the solenoid circuit and responsive tocon trol signals on the record for supplying successive pulses of powerto the solenoid, a mechanically operated switch that provides pulses ofpower to the solenoid for operating the film moving mechanism of theprojector, a motor that provides the power for said mechanicallyoperated switch, a device for adjusting the speed of said motor, amanually operated switch having a device for supplying a momentary pulseof power to the solenoid with each actuation of said manually operatedswitch, a control switch having a feeler that is actuated by notches inthe edge of the film, said control switch being connected in thecircuits with the mechanically operated switch and the manually operatedswitch for preventing operation of the clutch by those switches when thecontrol switch feeler is in a notch in the film,

a master relay having a holding circuit for keeping the relay energized,control apparatus responsive to signals on the record and effective toprovide an energizing pulse or current to the relay, switch contacts,opened by the relay when energized, for stopping the motor that movesthe record, a second control switch in the holding circuit of the relayand having a feeler that is actuated by notches in the edge of the filmto break the holding circuit and cause the relay to return to itsunenergized position and restart the motor that moves the record.

13. Apparatus for exhibiting a number of displays in a sequence, otherapparatus including a record for reproducing sound in definite timedrelation with the exhibition of the displays, motor means for moving therecord at the proper speed for the sound reproduction, controller meansmovable into diflerent positions for starting and stopping said motormeans, a plurality of control signals on the sound record and at leastsome of which are at regions intermediate the ends of the sound tractbut at the ends or different discourses of the sound sequence which areintended to correspond with the exhibition of diil'erent displays,apparatus responsive to the control signals on the sound record forshifting the controller means into position to stop the motor means atthe end of a discourse and during exhibition of a predetermined displayof the sequence, and other apparatus for moving the controller meansback into position to start and operate the motor means and sound recordat the end of an intended period of exhibition of the display.

14. A display device with mechanism for moving successive displays intoposition for exhibition, sound reproducing apparatus including a recordon which there are a" plurality of control signals, at least some ofwhich are at regions intermediate the ends of the sound track but at theends of diflerent discourses of the sound sequence which are intended tocorrespond with the exhibition oi. diil'erent displays, mechanism formoving the record at the required speed for operating the soundreproducing apparatus, apparatus responsive to control signals on therecord for stopping the mechanism that moves the record, other apparatusresponsive to control signals on the record for controlling theoperation of said mechanism for moving successive displays, and otherapparatus responsive to movement of the displays for restarting theoperation of the mechanism for moving the record.

FRED WALLER. WILLIS ROBERT DRESSER.

REFERENCES CITED I'he following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,335,651 Bullis Mar. 30, 19201,389,407 Williams Aug. 30, 1921 1,523,173 Clark Jan. 13, 1925 1,777,418Rogers Oct. 7, 1930 1,826,786 Hopkins Oct. 13, 1931 1,859,665 Golden etal May 24, 1932 1,909,765 Jenkins et a1. May 16, 1933 1,924,110 DessauAug. 29, 1933 1,987,544 Wood et al 'Jan. 8, 1935 2,031,605 Jenkins et a1Feb. 25, 1936 2,038,976 Wood et al Apr. 28, 1936 2,044,333 Schmidt June16, 1936 2,116,314 Jenkins et al May 3, 1938 2,221,312 Jenkins et al.Nov. 12, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 354,170 Great BritainJuly 27, 1931

